Neill McKee of Kahoka is pleased to announce that the doors that were once closed as Gardineís Pharmacy in Memphis will be open again. As of August 23 the Scotland County Pharmacy will be open for business.

The pharmacy hours are 9 to 5:30, Monday-Friday and 9 to 1:00 on Saturdays. Located on the south side of the square at 111 E. Monroe, the pharmacy will provide many services. In addition to normal and compounded prescriptions, over-the-counter products, greeting cards, dermo-medical equipment and in-town delivery will be available. Disease date management will also be offered, which helps customers utilize medicines and medical services that are available.

There has also been a surprise addition to the pharmacy that is sure to please the customers. Members of the community are encouraged to come check it out.

Neill McKee and his sons, Tony and Matt, will all have a part in the new pharmacy. Neill is no stranger to the business, as he has been around it for many years. With his experience and his sonsí integrity, the pharmacy will have the components to serve the Memphis community well for many years to come.

Neill McKee was born and raised in the Macomb, IL area. After graduating from Western Illinois University High School, McKee first attended college at the University of Iowa. After serving in the military for two years, Neill finished up his schooling at Drake University.

Neill started work in a pharmacy in 1958, moving everywhere from the Quad Cities to Bushnell, IL to Hamilton, IL, where he bought the Gallaway Drug Store. Neill renamed it to N&B Drug, where he worked for the next 5 years. After that time, McKee began working at Osco Drug. He worked there for 8 years, in addition to working at a hospital. Neill did some relief work around the area, especially at the penitentiary in Ft. Madison.

In 1987, Neill bought the drug store in Kahoka from Mr. Homer Greening. Neill has served the Kahoka community since that time with what is now known as the Clark County Pharmacy.

ďIf you come to a small town, I think you have to come with the idea that youíre here to take care of people. If you want to be in a small town, you have to be ready to work with and give back to your community,Ē McKee said.

McKee has had his hand in many businesses and has donated to various organizations in the area. Over the years, Neill has donated to C.A.R.E. and HeadStart and had his hand in a mobile home park in Wayland, the Twin Lakes Golf Course and the Clark County War Veterans Memorial. Neill is also the proud owner of Blimpieís in Kahoka.

In what spare time he has, Neill enjoys going to St. Louis Rams football games.

He has four children, 3 stepchildren and 14 grandchildren with one on the way. Neill plans to enjoy the vineyard on his property by making wine after retirement.

Neill says his goal has always been to leave a place in better shape than when he arrived there.

Tony McKee and his wife, Tara, have two children: Colin, 7 and Karcyn, 4. In 1987 Tony graduated from Warsaw High School in Warsaw, Illinois and in 1992 from Drake University. After that time Tony worked in Kahoka and Chicago, IL before settling down in Clark County.

Tony is an assistant football coach at Clark County, which he greatly enjoys. Tony also loves to travel, golf, and spend time with his wife and children.

Tony said he is looking forward to the opening of the Scotland County Pharmacy.

Matt McKee graduated in May 2004 from St. Louis College of Pharmacy. Matt was a graduate of Warsaw High School and in 1995, following his graduation from Western Illinois University, Matt was a highway patrolman for nearly 6 years. Matt and his wife, Tina, have four children: James, 9; Justin, 5; Megan, 4 and a newborn son, Jackson. Today, Matt also works part time as a police officer in Canton.

Matt has been working at Clark County Pharmacy since June and thoroughly enjoys being in the community where he grew up. Matt sincerely looks forward to helping the people of Memphis.

With many chain pharmacies around these days, the benefits of a hometown pharmacy are enormous. As the McKees continue to serve the Kahoka community, they are excited about serving the Scotland County area for many years to come.